E-Signature Setup
Sign legal documents from your couch. A plain-English walkthrough of receiving a signature request, sending one yourself, and spotting the fake ones.
Is this legally valid?
Yes. Under the federal ESIGN Act of 2000, an electronic signature carries the same legal weight as a pen-and-paper signature for most documents — leases, real estate offers, work contracts, healthcare forms, and tax paperwork. A small number of items still need a wet signature (wills, some court filings, certain notarized documents). When in doubt, ask the person who sent the request.
What makes a signature valid? Three things: you intended to sign, you agreed to use an electronic method, and the document keeps a record showing who signed and when. The big services handle all three for you.
Part 1 — Receiving an e-sign request
Most of the time, you will be on the receiving end. Here is what to expect when a real estate agent, lawyer, or HR person sends you a document to sign.
Step by step
- 1.You get an email titled something like "Please DocuSign: Lease agreement.pdf". The sender is the person you expected (your agent, your boss, your bank).
- 2.Check the sender domain first. A real DocuSign email comes from an address ending in docusign.net. If the email comes from "docu-sign.co" or "docusign.support-portal.com", stop — that is a phishing scam.
- 3.Click the "Review Document" button in the email. It opens in your web browser. You do not need to install anything or create an account.
- 4.Read the document. Use the scroll bar or arrow buttons to move through every page. Take your time.
- 5.When you reach the signature line, click the yellow "Sign" tag. A pop-up will ask you to type your full name and pick a signature style — or draw your own with your finger or mouse.
- 6.Click "Adopt and Sign", then "Finish" at the top. Done. You will get a copy of the fully signed document by email within a minute or two.
Always download and save a copy
Once a document is signed, download the PDF and save it to your computer or a cloud folder. Email links can expire after 90-180 days. Keeping your own copy means you always have the proof, even if the sender's account closes years later.
Part 2 — Sending a signature request
Need someone else to sign? Pick a service below to see how to set it up and send your first request.
Which service do you want to use?
Best for: Best for: the most widely used e-signature service in the US. If your bank, lawyer, or landlord sends a signature request, the chances are very high it comes from DocuSign.
Setup
- 1.Go to docusign.com and click "Free Trial" or "Sign Up".
- 2.Enter your email and pick a password.
- 3.Verify your email address through the link they send.
- 4.Add your full legal name and a saved signature style.
Send a request
- 1.From your dashboard, click "Start" then "Send an envelope".
- 2.Upload the PDF or Word document you need signed.
- 3.Add the recipient's name and email address.
- 4.Drag a signature box onto the page where they should sign.
- 5.Click "Send" — they will get an email with a secure link.
Worth knowing
- •Real DocuSign emails come from an address ending in docusign.net or docusign.com. Anything else is a scam.
- •Recipients do not need a DocuSign account to sign — they only sign through the email link.
- •Every signed document is stored in your account and emailed as a PDF to all parties.
Watch out for fake DocuSign emails
Scammers send fake DocuSign emails by the millions, hoping you will click and hand over your password or download malware. Real signature emails follow a few clear rules:
- •The sender address ends in docusign.net or docusign.com. Look at the full email address, not the display name.
- •The email mentions a specific document and a specific person you know.
- •It does NOT pressure you with threats like "sign in 24 hours or your account closes".
- •If you were not expecting a document, do not click. Call the person who supposedly sent it on a phone number you already know.
Prefer paper? Print and mail still works
You are never required to sign electronically. Federal law gives you the right to opt out and use a wet signature. If you would rather print and mail:
- •Reply to the sender and ask them to email you a plain PDF.
- •Print the document, sign in blue or black ink, and date every page they request.
- •Scan it back to PDF (use a phone scanner app like Adobe Scan) or mail the paper copy with tracking.
- •Keep the original in a folder labeled by year. Paper copies do not expire.
Five habits that keep e-signing safe
- •Always read every page before signing — yes, even the long ones.
- •Verify the sender domain matches the real service (docusign.net, adobesign.com, dropboxsign.com).
- •Download a PDF copy of the signed document and save it where you can find it later.
- •Turn on two-factor authentication for any signing account you create.
- •If a request feels rushed or unexpected, call the sender on a number you already have.